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First Summer Campout

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Last week Brent was gone overnight in Sun Valley for a Law conference. We were not able to join him because of some scheduling conflicts. I decided that the boys and I had to plan something super fun since dad was doing something super fun without us. So we decided to go camping. Yes, me and all 3 boys went camping without dad. How did I do it you ask? Well, we only had to travel as far as the backyard. The boys loved it. We read books together for a couple of hours until it got dark. Then we looked at the stars for a while. I have to be honest, I was not looking forward to sleeping on the hard ground when I had a nice comfortable bed ALL TO MYSELF. But I resisted the temptation of sneaking inside and actually spent the entire night in the tent with the boys. We had such a good time. The boys made me keep the tent up the next night so they could do it again.

If you are ever looking for cheap summer entertainment, camp in your own backyard.

To All Twin Falls Stay At Home Moms!

Summer is here and I am thrilled. The past few days I have spent a lot of time outside with my boys enjoying the beautiful weather. Today it dawned on me that I am going to go a little crazy if I spend my entire summer without some adult interaction.

I have had a few experiences over the past few days that have made me realize that maybe I am not the only stay at home mom wanting something to do, but I don't know where to go to find out what's going on around town. I will be the first to admit that I stink at organizing play dates and other activities that involve people other than my family. If it involves getting on the phone and calling everyone I know...it's probably not going to happen. And so I am wondering from all of you stay at home moms, are there any resources out there that you know of that I can find out what is going on around town. Any mothers groups? Any blogs? If there are no resources, let's get some.

Does this sound like I am begging for friends? I was just thinking it might be nice to set up a blog where people can post activities that they know of going on every day. Then the mothers who want something to do can look at the blog and see who is doing what, where and when. What park is everyone going to today? Where is everyone eating for lunch? Who is having people over to run through the sprinklers? Who goes exercising in the mornings/ evenings and would like someone to go with them?

If you come across this blog and have any ideas or info for me please leave a comment. If there are enough people out there who feel the same way that I do in this town lets get something started and spread the word.

Is Today the Day?

Could it be? Is summer here? Please, oh please, oh please let today be the start of summer!

After getting ready for the day this morning I walked outside to find Will blowing bubbles. Me and the other boys joined him and as we were blowing and chasing bubbles, all I could think about was spongebob squarepants. I don't watch that show, but have seen enough episodes in my life to know that he LOVES to blow bubbles. Because I couldn't take a picture or film this most joyous of occasions, because I was the one blowing the bubbles, I just had to take a mental picture of the moment. (And if I did have a camera the results would look something very much like this photo) Not only do we love bubbles, we love summer even more. And the fact that it is warm enough to be outside at 10:00 am just might mean that summer is finally here.

Global Warming??? Not in Idaho!

I just have to say to anyone out there in the world who is concerned about global warming, move to Idaho...it's a non issue here. Today is June 11, and it is 39 degrees today. My yahoo weather widget on my computer shows a chance of snow. My boys have been asking me for 2 months when we can set up the pool outside. I keep reassuring them that summer is just around the corner. I am beginning to doubt that myself. Instead of the pool this year we may have to bring out the snow clothes. Building a snow fort seems to be the more realistic option this "summer".
Take a peek at my sidebar and look at the weather...this is no joke. :(

Another Temple Tour

Brent and I had the opportunity to take another tour of the temple on Sunday with the temple committee and the 14 stake presidents in the temple district. Once again I have to say how amazing it is to be a part of all of this and to have such wonderful opportunities. The temple is very close to being completed. The furniture for the temple arrived yesterday. And from the way things looked on Sunday there are just very minor things that need to be finished up. Then after a good cleaning it will be complete.

I am so excited for everyone to have the opportunity to see it. For those of you who are wondering how it compares with the other temples, in my opinion it is right up there with the most beautiful that I have seen. It is very modern. The design inside is absolutely beautiful. I am amazed at how all of the details tie together so well. For those of you who still do not know, the open house begins the 11th of July and the dedication will take place on Sunday, August 23rd. If anyone is interested in tickets you can go to http://www.lds.org/reservations/ticket1/0,10785,1624-1-442-0,00.html they are now available online for anyone who would like to go.

Recent Temple Photos

Goodbye McGee Family!

I just had to post these photos of my 2 nieces Lucy and Claire. My sister in law Katy has been in town for the past two weeks with her daughters. We had so much fun with them. My boys love being with their cousins...they don't have any that live here...maybe someday.

Katy let me do a photo shoot of both of her girls and I have to say they are such darling little girls. I love them to death. I also have to say that it's photo results like this that make me miss my photography like crazy. We had so much fun.

So Katy, Lucy, and Claire, thank you for a wonderful 2 weeks. We love you and will miss you until we see you again in July.

Gardening Tips Anyone???

Brent and I finished preparing and planting our garden about 2 weeks ago. I think I am a little obsessed with my garden because I find myself outside about 6 times a day looking for the smallest sign of a sprout. I can't wait for everything to grow, I am so excited. I just keep thinking about how bummed I will be if my garden isn't successful this year.

I have grown a garden before, I loved it then also, but I have to admit I am not the best gardener, because I don't know anything about it. My goal with my previous gardens has been that we can eat something out of it. I guess by those standards we were successful. The problem was that we threw away at least 80% of what we grew. Sad, I know, and so I decided to rethink my garden goals this year. This year my goal is to can/freeze most of what we grow for food storage. The problem with that is that I have no idea how to do any of that. The only thing I have ever canned is freezer jam.

And so, with HIGH HOPES for my garden this year, I am asking for ANY gardening advise that anyone has to give. Here are the main questions I have when it comes to caring for my garden:
1. What is the best way to fertilize?

2. Any tips on weed control?

3 Any tips on bug control?

These are the things I have planted this year:

1.Green Beans

2. Carrots

3.Red and Yellow Onion

4. Tomatoes

5. Corn

6. Spaghetti Squash

7. Zucchini

8. Cucumber

If you have any tips on freezing/preserving/canning, any of these items, or know of a good resource please let me know.

I know I am going to have oodles of tomatoes this year so I also would like to get ideas on what to do with all of them. I am thinking maybe some salsa? some spaghetti sauce? Any good recipes out there that would be good for any sort of canned tomato?

This is the first sign of green, from my onions. :)

Happy Birthday Annie

Yesterday I turned 28! I had a wonderful birthday. We have been celebrating since Saturday and the festivities continue through tonight so it's still my birthday (unofficially if you still want to send birthday greetings...jk) Saturday was the western days parade…lame, but fun for the kids. After that we went to Chili's where they gave me a free molten chocolate cake for my birthday…I pretty much ate the whole thing by myself and I loved it. Then on Saturday night Brent and I went out to dinner with my parents to celebrate. We ate at the Garden Café. It was fun being with them, but dinner was pretty disappointing. I ordered baked Salmon. When they brought it out it was wrapped in fancy parchment paper. Once I removed the paper it was covered in all sorts of vegetables, which I love, so I was pretty excited about my delicious healthy salmon right? Well I took a nice big bite and the texture was like mashed potatoes…..what the???? I thought to myself that doesn’t taste or feel like salmon. So I removed all of the veggies and to my surprise I found a nice big piece of raw salmon. OOOPS! Someone forgot to bake my “baked” salmon. "Surely that could not happen, maybe it’s just a different type of salmon, or maybe it’s the way they cooked it that makes it look and taste totally raw". So I showed my dad and had him take a bite. YEP! It was RAW! So after telling my waitress, she took my plate back to the kitchen and brought me a cooked piece, placed nicely where the old dead fish used to be, bathing in all the old raw juices. Let’s just say I completely lost my appetite. Yes they still charged me for it…and the dessert, which was the only thing I ate…and they wished me happy birthday on my way out. How nice of them. HMMMM someone needs some training. Or, I probably need a backbone. I guess we won’t be going back there any time soon. I am really not that upset about it, it was just pretty gross. Anyway, on Sunday we had some friends in our ward invite us to dinner and she happened to make my favorite meal. Ham and cheesy potatoes YUM! Thanks Hills! And tonight we will be celebrating again with the Nielsons. I am just getting pretty chubby from all the birthday cake I have had in the past 3 days. Not to mention all of the leftover cake I have been snacking on since Andrew’s birthday last Tuesday. So that is the reason I go work out in the mornings, just to burn off all of my birthday cake calories.

I love birthdays. I am so thankful to all of the family and friends who said and did kind things for me. I kept thinking yesterday, "I am so glad I was born". Dorky? Maybe. If you had my life you would be thinking the same thing though. I am so blessed. I am thankful to all the people in my life who have helped me to be where I am today. I am grateful for the blessing of an amazing husband, and such amazing, beautiful children. I am so thankful for my life experiences and for the perspective I have through the gospel of Jesus Christ. My life is wonderful and so I am so glad I was born. Happy Birthday to me!